"I know," he answered quietly. "I don't want you worrying about that, ok?"

He wanted to reassure her that he would hold on for her and the kids, that he'd hold out hope that he'd get out of there. But he still didn't feel that confidence that Mattil had. This was his world after all, and he knew how rabidly many humans clung to the thought that it was safer for his kind to be locked away forever.

"I miss you so much," he whispered. "Do you have help? Are...are the kids doing alright?"